Hotelier Christopher Issa and his team unveiled a bust of the late reggae king, Bob Marley, last Thursday at the S Hotel Kingston.

The unveiling of the bust formed part of a luncheon hosted by Issa and his team in commemoration of the reggae icon’s 80th birthday celebrations. This was done in partnership with the Bob Marley Foundation.

“Bob Marley has a rich legacy to build on and the messages in his music still resonate today. He is renowned the world over for his contributions to reggae music and the emergence of other genres of music. He is a global icon, and his legacy will continue to live on,” said Issa.

Issa and his team also used the opportunity to unveil a sculpture of the King of Reggae, created by German-born sculptor Diedel Klover, a fascinating piece made out of scrap metal. A bust by Jamaican sculptor Scheed Cole was also on display at the S Hotel during the luncheon.

In the meantime, speaking at the unveiling, Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis, chairman of the Trench Town Development Association, is renewing the call for Trench Town to gain global recognition for its rich cultural legacy.

(From left) Sassan Niasseri of Rolling Stone Germany, Interim Executive Director of the S Hotel Foundation Ruth Jankee, and Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis, Chairman of the Trench Town Development Association during a luncheon hosted by businessman Christopher Issa at the S Hotel in commemoration of the 80th birthday celebration of the King of Reggae Bob Marley.

Ellis, who lectures in arts management and theatre at the renowned Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, hails from Trench Town.

According to him, history has defined Trench Town as the birthplace of rocksteady and reggae music, and the musical home of the legendary Bob Marley.

“Trench Town has in its belly the history of Jamaican arts and culture and entertainment. Bob Marley emerged as the most popular without a doubt, but Ken Boothe, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, Hortense Ellis, Jimmy Tucker, Junior Tucker, Bunny and Scully were already there,” Ellis said.

“Every street has a legend; the community is special in arts and culture and sports. We have a list of all the names on each street. If we respect and honour Bob Marley, everyone should come together and help Trench Town to grow,” he added.

(From left) Sicourney Jackson, Public Relations Officer at the Jamaica Tourist Board, with international journalists, Mya Abraham of Vibe Magazine, Marcus Mitropoulos of Pause Magazine, Sassan Niasseri of Rolling Stone Germany and Martie Bowser of Essence, with another bust of the King of Reggae Bob Marley. The occasion was a luncheon hosted by businessman Christopher Issa at the S Hotel Kingston in commemoration of the 80th birthday celebration of the King of Reggae Bob Marley.

Ellis further commended the Marley family for their contribution to the Kingston 12 community, for making it known worldwide, but said people should aspire to learn more about the history of it all, adding that Jamaicans and outsiders have much to learn more about the communities in Trench Town.

Trench Town is an inner-city community in the West Kingston area, located just a short distance from the infamous Tivoli Gardens. Ellis said, Bob Marley’s life was perhaps more than just sitting in ‘Culture Yard’ and honing his art.

“He walked the streets outside those walls. He stood by the street corners; he reasoned with friends from the tenement yards. There is Bob the Legend and a lot more about Bob the man with a plan and a van, living in Trench Town, the community,” Ellis said.

Some of the media practitioners that were hosted by the S Hotel included representatives from Essence and Blavity, Vibe, and Pause magazines, who were invited to visit the island by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for Reggae Month celebrations.

Guests were treated to savoury delights from Bob Marley’s favourite dishes including ital stew, roast fish, irish moss, carrot juice and coconut water.